Whether it’s a message directed at USC athletic director Pat Haden or not, one thing is abundantly clear: The players are appreciative of everything Orgeron has taught them.

Rightly so, as the 52-year-old helped save a Trojans football team on the verse of a disastrous collapse.

Through five games, the team was 3-2 and coming off a blowout loss to Arizona State, 62-41. Between the inconsistency on offense and the lack of cohesion, it was quickly shaping up to be a season from hell for USC.

Instead, after taking over for the fired Lane Kiffin, Orgeron led the Trojans to a 6-2 record the rest of the way. That included a stunning upset of then-No. 4 Stanford, 20-17, on Nov. 16.